Sean “Diddy” Combs’ is a subject of an ongoing federal criminal investigation, according to NBC News, which cited two sources familiar with Combs’ ongoing legal troubles.
The same sources confirmed that a federal grand jury in the Southern District of New York is hearing evidence as part of the investigation. No details have leaked on what is being looked at.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment. Combs’ lawyers did not respond to a request for comment.
Deadline has also confirmed the investigation.
“This is the next step in the process for Mr. Combs as the investigation continues,” a law enforcement official with knowledge of the grand jury proceedings told Deadline this evening. The official also confirmed that Sean Combs and his attorneys were formally notified last week of the grand jury, as NBC reported.
NBC defined Combs’ status as a subject of an investigation as “someone who is within the scope of a criminal investigation, according to legal experts. An individual is designated a target when prosecutors likely intend to seek an indictment from the grand jury against the person.”
There is no indication anything is imminent, NBC reported, adding that Combs has not received a target letter, the sources said. The Southern District of New York is not required to send one.
This news comes three months after Combs’ houses were raided in Los Angeles and Miami by law enforcement officials.
Combs has been under fire for at least the last seven months. Several women have come forward with sexual assault allegations, capped by the surfacing in May of a video, obtained by CNN, showing him beating his then-girlfriend, Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.
Combs settled a federal lawsuit filed by Ventura last November. The two settled the day following the suit being filed.
Combs has also been stripped of honors by Howard University and had a reality project dropped by Hulu. He also divested his stake in his former company, Revolt.
